⚠️Point Of Entry/Exit: Kalibo International Airport🛩

This spur of the moment trip started with my arrival at Kalibo International Airport, your gateway to one hell of an experience. Armed with my trusty backpack and the thought of the wise words ‘negotiate, negotiate, negotiate’ It began……….

Full ItineraryDay 1: Mararison Island, Antique

From the airport, my plan was to visit Malalison/Mararison Island in the first instance. I caught a trike from the airport to Ceres bus terminal and from there got on a bus to Culasi. It was a bit of an old bus with no a/c and suspension that had seen better days, but it is only for 2-3 hours.

Arriving at Culasi Port I had some great cheap street food (maybe was chicken?) and had a haggle with the boat people for the trip to the island, and what I saved in my negotiations paid for my lunch 🙂 It was a small boat but seemed perfectly seaworthy and you get a life jacket just in case! When I arrived, I found a place to stay on the beach which was a basic hut with a fan and plenty of room for crocodiles. The owners can cook for you if you want or bring food with you.

Birdsview of Malalison Island

Where to stay in Mararison

ALING JOSIE KUBO+639-283-017-547

TESS HOMESTAY+639-097-636-316

EL DOROTEO HOMESTAY+639-208-576-379

ANATALIA’S HOMESTAY+639-264-786-329

Maribel’s Homestay
250 pesos/night
+639-304-599-265‬

Daytour
Nipa cottages-P300

So, without any information about where to stay on the island, the ones I contacted were charging between 250-500php a night. I asked Kuya Mario if he knew of a cheap place to stay and he suggested “Aling Josie” for a very reasonable 300php, which I duly snapped at! The Kubo is big enough for two people and it is situated right in front of a white sand beach. It has a shared comfort room and if you are totally lazy to go and use the bathroom, there’s a potty (arinola) in every kubos haha. Aling Josie can also cook for you for a minimal fee.

Day 2: Malalison Topview + Kawa Hot Bath + Garin Farm

Spent exploring the island and you must have a guide, not maybe because it is the best idea but because it is mandatory. It’s a bit like the “Batanes of Visayas” and lots to stimulate your eyeballs and people (especially the kids) are super friendly.

Day 3: The Ruins + Campuestohan (Bacolod) + Iloilo City

Undecided where to spend the rest of my 2 days, I took an unqualified, through lack of any prior info, move going to Negros Occidental. From Iloilo Port, I caught a ferry going to Negros Occidental. After approx. 2hrs of ferry ride you arrive at Bacolod Port. From there I haggled a taxi from the port for a great price to take me on a tour of the two most visited destinations in the area. Firstly, I caught the beauty of The Ruins, and after that sucked in the almost “New Zealand-ish” and certainly”The Hobbit-ish” world of Campuestohan.

The Ruins

Campuestohan Highland Resort

Iloilo City

Having got through these quicker than I thought I was undecided on whether to go to Guimaras or to Lakawon island next and looking at my budget (well lack of cash really), decided to leave the island and spend more time to Iloilo City. I left all my things in the SM City Iloilo Tourist lounge and explored the city before heading back to my hotel.

Day 4: Guimaras + Roxas City, Capiz

Early start to catch the first boat going to Guimaras. I took a jeepney from my hotel going to Ortiz Wharf and it only took me 15mins to go to the island. Hired a trike for a land tour, which includes:

Guimaras

Finished my tour early (10 am) and as my flight back to Manila was at 9 pm so I decided to visit Roxas City, in Capiz first before catching my flight 🙂 From Ortiz Warf, hopped on a jeepney going to Tagbak Terminal, then caught a bus going to Roxas City. It took me 2 hours to reach the place and the first thing I did on arrival was to hop on a trike to take me on a tour around the city.

About Us

This page aims to share how to travel in a budget-friendly way through the adventures of Filipino Ilocano travel bloggers.
This blog supports the Department of Tourism in promoting sustainable tourism in the Philippines through featuring old and new places that truly captures the beauty and culture of the country.